David Jewell, MSW, MHSc, Irene Turpie, MB, ChB, MSc, FRCP(C),
Christopher Patterson, MD, FRCP(C), David Lewis, PhD, Julia Baxter, BScHK,
affiliated with the Regional Geriatric Program Central Ontario.

Objective: To determine the top learning needs of local specialized geriatrics services staff.
Participants: Health care professionals within the Regional Geriatric Program central area.
Methodology: A snowball sample (n=67) ranked five of 20 possible learning needs (derived from a literature review) by priority.
Analysis: Responses were sorted by those listing a particular subject in any priority, those making it the top priority, and Q-sort.
Results: The top three learning needs--scoring highest on all techniques--were management of dementia, risk and discharge from hospital to community.
Conclusion: This appears to be a viable method of appraising needs for education planning.
Key words: geriatrics, continuing education, survey, needs assessment, Q-sort